Posted by mikeyjoe on May 11, 2005, at 18:32:15
In reply to Re: Help please...... » mikeyjoe, posted by fallsfall on May 11, 2005, at 14:40:44
Thank you for your kind words and advice. Yes, she is getting therapy. How this started was a diagnosis by our family MD of moderate depression, Rxn for Effexor and a referral to a Psycologist for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, so she will be receiving CBT as well. I need to find some coping skills and a good support group so that I can maintain my sanity and be a good support for her, a good Father for my kids and a good person for myself. As I said, I have been through mental illness with my 1st wife (10+yrs) and I found myself getting myself deeper and deeper in a hole. I want to do this a better way this time around.
> I took Lithium for 9 years. Medications have changed a lot since the zombie days. Lithium is an old medication, but the doctors are much more aware of the good and bad effects it can have on people.
>
> I suggest that you encourage your wife to get some therapy, too. Therapy could help her learn how to manage the cycles of bipolar.
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> A bipolar diagnosis is not a disaster. Many people live very happy lives with bipolar.
>
> You sound like a caring husband. Her illness *will* effect you as well. If things aren't going smoothly, it is quite reasonable for you to go into therapy either by yourself or with her so that you can more capably support her. You might want to establish a relationship with a therapist so that if things get difficult later, you have someone to go to who knows you a little bit.
>
> She is lucky to be married to you.
poster:mikeyjoe
thread:496399
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050503/msgs/496570.html